Mike Rapada

Michael Rapada (born August 28, 1964) best known as "The Colorado Kid" Mike Rapada is an American professional wrestler.[2]

Mike Rapada
Birth nameMichael Rapada
Born (1964-08-28) August 28, 1964
Merced, California[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Mike Rapada
The Colorado Kid
Billed height6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Billed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Billed fromColorado Springs, Colorado
Trained byJeff Jarrett
Tojo Yamamoto
Ken Wayne
Debut1994

Professional wrestling career

Mike Rapada started out in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It took three months, but eventually he convinced Jeff Jarrett to hire him. After Jarrett left for the WWF, Rapada sought out training from the likes of Ken Wayne, Buddy Wayne and others.

He also made several appearances on WCW Monday Nitro as a security guard during his career.

In 1994, he was named Rookie of the Year in the United States Wrestling Association promotion out of Memphis. He also had a reign as NAASW North American Heavyweight champion in Jonesboro, Arkansas, beating Cactus Jack, and as USWA Unified World Heavyweight champion, beating Jerry Lawler.

Until winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in September 2000, he had been the NWA North American Heavyweight champion, the top belt recognized by the NWA Worldwide promotion based out of Nashville. Colorado Kid teamed with Scuffling Hillbilly and the duo won and held the North American Tag Team title for about 18 months from early 1996 to late 1997.

He was the first American wrestler ever to win a match in China. His son, Mike Rapada Jr., is currently a wrestler on the independent circuit.

In 2001, Mike Rapada moved to San Diego, CA, where he began training local talent and in 2004, Rapada started Southwestern Alliance of Wrestling ("SAW"). SAW had the privilege of wrestling at local elementary schools throughout the San Diego area helping to raise money for military and underprivileged children. SAW also performed at many of the street fairs every year in the local communities and yearly at the Christmas Party that The Nice Guys of San Diego sponsored for the children of San Diego and military families. The event attracted 20,000 people and was held at Qualcomm Stadium. Mike Rapada's vision was to create family friendly professional wrestling shows.

In early 2010, Rapada returned to Nashville where he works and continues to wrestle locally for independent wrestling companies.

Championships and accomplishments

References
  1. "Jeff Jarrett". Canoe.ca. Retrieved May 11, 2006.
  2. "Rapada defends the NWA".
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